Contemporary sports dominated by individuals’ need to rank as
highest paid
Throughout his career, Magic Johnson has been regarded as the
ultimate team player. During the 1980s he was part of five
championships with the Los Angeles Lakers. I grew up watching
Magic, along with Larry Bird, make basketball what it has become
today. But those were the 1980s, and unfortunately, professional
sports in the 1990s are much different.
I have been a Laker fan for over 11 years, and in those 11 years
I have missed less than 10 games. I have seen them all on
television or listened to them on the radio. I live, eat and sleep
Lakers during basketball season.
I remember the great Magic Johnson teams of the ’80s. I, like
every other basketball fan in L.A., idolized Magic, and, like every
other fan, I was in tears when he retired, happy when he came back,
disappointed when he retired, happy to see him coach, sorry to see
him not do well, happy to see him become part owner, dubious over
his final return and frustrated over the outcome.
In the ’80s, Magic defined the idea of teamwork and winning. It
wasn’t the same league when he came back, and Magic wasn’t the same
Magic. Magic of the ’80s wouldn’t bump a referee, demand the ball
more, demand to play more point guard, demand more shots, demand at
least $10 million to play next year and still emphasize that the
Lakers were not playing as a team. No, there is no "I" in team, but
there is an "I" in Magic.
Unfortunately, this type of selfish attitude has become a trend
in professional sports. The major league baseball strike is a
perfect example. Overpaid baseball players were demanding more
money, and as a result, they went on strike. Their strike had many
loyal fans disgusted. They seemed to forget that it is the fans who
allow them to make their overpaid millions, and those most affected
by the strike were the fans. I can’t understand how any
professional athlete could possibly complain about the amount of
money they make. These athletes pay more in taxes than what
President Bill Clinton earns.
The baseball players and the league came to an "agreement" and
the strike was settled. As a result, players such as Ken Griffey
Jr., star of the Seattle Mariners, are able to sign a four-year
contract worth over $32 million, which calculates to over $20,000 a
day. These large contracts enable mediocre players throughout the
league to make over $1 million a year, which, when compared to $8
million a year, is "average." The glory and satisfaction of winning
and being part of a team has taken a backseat to the multi-million
dollar contract. Players, such as "Mr. Ego" himself, San Francisco
Giants’ Barry Bonds desire to be the highest-paid player in
baseball. Bonds must have been crushed when Griffey Jr. replaced
him as baseball’s highest-paid player.
Disputes regarding contracts and salaries are not only limited
to players; coaches also want part of the action. Chicago Bulls’
head coach, Phil Jackson, was upset when he learned that the New
Jersey Nets’ new coach will be making over $3 million next year.
Jackson "only" made $800,000 this year, and his Bulls just won
another championship. He now claims he will not return unless the
Bulls offer him a contract similar to the amount the Nets offered
their coach. Coaches are important, but $3 million for a coach is
ludicrous. Even I could have coached the Bulls to a championship.
How hard would it have been? Just give the ball to Jordan.
The ’90s attitude in professional sports has even reached the
most recognized athlete in the world. Michael Jordan’s contract
with the Bulls ended this year, and he stated that he wants a
two-year contract in the neighborhood of $40 million. He later
demanded, more precisely, that he would accept no less than $18
million a year to return to the Bulls. I can’t even begin to
imagine why Michael Jordan would need this kind of money. Last
year, he made a total of $44 million, of which over $40 million was
from endorsements and commercials. The list of products he endorses
are endless: Nike, Coke, Gatorade, McDonald’s, Rayovac batteries,
Coach leather, golf clubs, Haines underwear and a new Michael
Jordan fragrance, just to name a few. He attempts to justify his
contract demands by claiming that he doesn’t wish to have the
majority of his income be from endorsements. He also implied that
it was an issue of respect, and if the Bulls didn’t agree to his
offer, it would be an insult, after all he has done for them.
His reasoning is absolutely absurd. He and too many other
professional athletes are using the size of their paychecks to
justify their talents. Jordan is the most respected and greatest
basketball player in the league, regardless of whether he is the
lowest- or highest-paid player in basketball. As for his other
reason of not wanting the majority of his income to be from
endorsements, I have a very simple solution: Hey, Mike, try doing
less commercials! Apparently, there is also a big "I" in
"Mike."
Ben Mohandesi is a third-year history student.
I can’t understand how any professional athlete could possibly
complain about the amount of money they make. These athletes pay
more in taxes than what President Bill Clinton earns.